Turning Shame For Glory

author : Kaitlin Haines, Founder

Do you struggle with feeling shame over your past?

Even if you know you are forgiven? You just really feel like you need to erase the past and never speak or think of it again?

We received a message to the Refined Sisterhood Podcast the other day that really encouraged me, but also hit me really deep. 

The message said something along the lines of, “These women talk about the things we’re all thinking but no one wants to talk about.” 

Since starting The podcast, we have had the goal of bringing value to Our listeners in every single episode. We want to bring the raw, vulnerable parts of our life to you and share the positive and negative, always using our experiences to encourage. Those raw parts of our lives that seem difficult to talk about but are the things that God has taken is His hands and used them to refine us. 

But it’s really hard sometimes.

Have you ever wondered why you don’t see more people talking about the “bad” or “hard” things going on in their life (or things they have gone through in the past)? The obvious answer is that social media is not and should not be the first place we run when a negative season hits us right in the face. And honestly, sharing it with the social media world isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.  

But, have you ever realized that some of the hardest times in your life have given you the most wisdom? Some of the shameful moments have ended up being the most refining moments in your relationship with God? Even some of the darkest seasons, when God brings you out on the other side, can’t you look back and see God where He was right there, bringing you through it?

I think a lot of times we look back on those hard moments with shame, hurt, and maybe even disgust. Instead of seeing it as an opportunity to encourage someone else in that exact season, we hide it in a closet of shame that we don’t want anyone to know about. Maddie, My Co-Host, and I were talking the other day about how there are certain things we would struggle sharing with our podcast listeners because it would be embarrassing or shameful. And, there are certain people we wouldn’t necessarily want knowing our business. 

But what if instead of feeling shame, we shared the redeeming power of God that came from that moment in our life? Now, we aren’t saying everything needs to be shared with every person. However, we have ALl screwed up. And with a repentant spirit, have been forgiven in Christ. So, why wouldn’t we share our faults with those who God puts in our path so that we can exemplify his redeeming love and grace? 

Regardless if you have an audience of 1 or 1 million, there are some things that the Spirit has laid on your heart to share when others are put in your path. Are you sharing wisdom from those deep places? Are you okay with allowing the shameful moments of your life that you’ve been redeemed from, speak life into a person going through that same season?

We want you to know that we are here to share from the deepest parts of our journey’s. Whether on the podcast, in our dm’s, or in a one on one conversation, we are open books about our experiences where we know we can speak from the wisdom God’s given us.

We freaking love you guys and are so thankful you are here in this community.